“Akindele: Amaechi Can’t Forgive Buhari for Failing to Endorse Him in APC Presidential Primary”
Ayekooto Akindele, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu, has offered insight into why former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, may harbor resentment toward his former principal, Muhammadu Buhari.
In a Facebook post that has garnered attention, Akindele suggested that Amaechi’s bitterness stems from Buhari’s failure to endorse him during the APC presidential primary election in 2022, despite Amaechi’s significant contributions, particularly his infrastructural efforts in Buhari’s hometown of Daura.
According to Akindele, Amaechi’s resentment is rooted in two key events: “Despite procuring a chieftaincy title in Daura and allocating a Transportation University there, Buhari didn’t impose him on the APC. Chai, this is unforgivable,” Akindele remarked, implying that Amaechi’s contributions were not sufficiently recognized by the president.
He went on to detail Amaechi’s unsuccessful presidential ambition, stating that after “resigning to run a stadium marathon for the APC ticket and losing shamelessly,” Amaechi was left humiliated. According to Akindele, even after Amaechi begged Buhari to allow him to return as a minister, the former president responded dismissively, saying “MININI” — a phrase that Akindele claims shows Buhari’s indifference to Amaechi’s requests.
The remarks from Akindele come after Amaechi recently stirred controversy by publicly placing former President Olusegun Obasanjo above other Nigerian leaders. At a recent event, Amaechi described Obasanjo as the last president to create a middle class in Nigeria, crediting him with shaping an economy that generated jobs and contributed to the growth of the middle class.
Akindele’s comments highlight the ongoing political tensions and shifting allegiances within Nigeria’s ruling party as well as the complex dynamics between key political figures in the APC.
